luxury cars: August 2009

Monday, August 31, 2009

A COMPARISON OF INDICA VISTA, FIAT PUNTO AND MARUTI RITZ

Which one is better? Fiat Punto or Maruti Ritz or Tata Indica Vista? A detailed comparison is given.

Design and Styling

Though these hatchbacks look smaller in size, there is enough interior space in all three of them. All of them have most modern styling and design. Where Punto and Vista have Italian Design, Ritz owes its design to the Japanese.

The Fiat Punto's grill is similar to that of Maserati cars. The sloping wind screen, entirely different bonet, mercury drop headlamp, the front quarter glass and the long bumper gives Punto a stylish look. Punto is a medium size car with 195-60 R 15 tyres and larger wheel arches. The suspension has been lifted a little for Indian models. The Fiat logo and vertical tail lamps at the rear captures everyone's attention. The higher models have ABS, airbags and automatic a/c.

The design of A-star has influenced the Ritz's design a lot. The design has similarities to that of A-star. But when closely examined, both can be distinguished quickly. The rear side of Ritz itself differs from that of A-star. The Ritz has a more sporty look. It is equipped with security features such as ABS and EBD. The diesel model doesn't have alloy wheels. New Ritz comes in 5 colours. The interior of Ritz has a blue-black colour coding.

The Tata Indica Vista comes in a new platform with Fiat engine. The new model is larger in size than its predecessor Indica. The smiling grill as in old Indica gives a similarity with the old model. The new vista has a compact design. The headlamps in new vista gives Vista a modern look. The tail lamps are same as that in old Indica. The Vista has body colour rub rails, door handle and wing mirrors. Vista comes in three variants-Terra, Aqua and Aura among which Aura is cuter. Vista hav larger interior spacing and comfortable interiors.

Comparatively, the Ritz has a more radical design. Punto has pure European design. The biege interior of Vista is also good. But vista doesn't have steering stereo controls.

Among the three cars, passenger cabin space is higher for Vista. The dicky space for the three is:

* Punto-280L

* Ritz -236L

* Vista -232L

Driving

The 1.3 multi-jet engine in the three cars gives different performance. The weight, suspension features, tyre size, gear ratio etc. influences the performance a lot.

May be because of the higher gear ratio of Punto, the power of Punto is above 2000 rpm. The Punto with 1190 kg has more weight among the three. As a result, there is a little lag. The 0-100km time is slightly greater. The topspeed is 155km. As it can be driven at 30km/hr even above 3rd gear, city driving is easier. 15 inch tyres increases road grip and road handling. All together, Punto has all comforts of an European car.

The Ritz which is built on Swift platform is larger in size than Swift. The larger size is reflected in the driving also. The Ritz weighs 1110 kg only. As a result, Ritz has highest performance among the three. The max. power is above 2000 rpm. Among the three, only Ritz has electric steering.

Vista is also heavier than Ritz. It weighs 1140 kg. As a result pick up has decreased a little. Larger size increases Vista's road grip. Light clutch and improved gear shift increases Vista's drivability. Vista is no.1 in travel comfort.

TECH SPECIFICATIONS
	INDICA VISTA	FIAT PUNTO	MARUTI RITZ
ENGINE	1248 cc, 4 Cylinder, Quadrajet	1248 cc, 4 Cylinder DDiS	1248 cc, 4 Cylinder, Multijet
MAX. POWER	74 bhp @ 4000 rpm	74 bhp @ 4000 rpm	74 bhp @ 4000 rpm
MAX. TORQUE	190 Nm @ 1750 rpm	190 Nm @ 1750 rpm	190 Nm @ 2000 rpm
GEAR TRANSMISSION	5 Speed manual	5 Speed manual	5 Speed manual
SUSPENSION	Front:-Independent, Mac Pherson Struts, Coil springs Rear:-Semi Independent, twist beam with coil spring and shock absorbers.	Front:-Independent, Mac Pherson Struts, telescopic Dampers, stabilizer bar Compound link crank axle Rear:-Torsion beam axle	Front:-Independent, Mac Pherson Struts, Coil springs Rear:-Torsion beam and Coil spring
BRAKES	Front:-Discs Rear:-Drums	Front:-Discs Rear:-Drums	Front:-Discs Rear:-Drums
TYRES	175/65 R 14	195/60 R 15	165/80 R 14
L X W X H (mm)	3795 X 1695 X 1550	3987 X 1687 X 1495	3715 X 1680 X 1620
WHEEL BASE (mm)	2470	2510	2360
GROUND CLEARANCE (mm)	165	170	170
KERB WEIGHT	1140 kg	1190 kg	1110 kg
TURNING RADIUS	5 m	5.25 m	4.7 m
MILEAGE	15.15 km/L	15.6 km/L	17.35 km/L
PRICE	Rs.4.46 - 4.75 lakhs	Rs.4.92 - 6.18 lakhs	Rs.4.65 - 4.99 lakhs

Performance

0-100km time

* Punto-17.84 s

* Ritz -15.18 s

* Vista -16.36 s

Mileage

* Punto-15.6 km

* Ritz -17.35 km

* Vista -15.15 km

Price

* Punto-Rs.4.92 - 6.18 lakhs

* Ritz -Rs.4.65 - 4.99 lakhs

* Vista -Rs.4.46 - 4.75 lakhs

Verdict

For performance lovers, Ritz is the best option. For those who prefer brand and styling, Punto is no.1. For those who consider price, interior spacing and maintenance cost, Vista is the best choice.

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Saiba o que acontece se estourar um pneu a 350 km/h

Retificação de motores - 9ª Parte

Leia também os outros artigos de "Retificação de motores": 1ª Parte, 2ª parte, 3ª parte, 4ª parte, 5ª parte, 6ª parte, 7ª parte e 8ª Parte.

Camisas Molhadas

Da mesma maneira como as camisas secas, também as do tipo molhado necessitam de cuidados especiais quando de sua instalação no motor.

Os principais ponto as serem observados durante a montagem dessas camisas são as seguintes:

1 – verifique cuidadosamente o rebaixo no bloco quanto a deformações, desgastes ou impurezas, para que o flange da camisa possa se apoiar uniformemente em toda sua circunferência. Com isso, evita-se a quebra do flange, a deformação da camisa e consegue-se uma boa vedação entre a camisa e o bloco.

O flange pode quebrar devido a deformações no rebaixo do bloco

2 – Verifique criteriosamente os canais de alojamento dos anéis de vedação e retire eventuais rebarbas ou impurezas ali existentes par evitar posteriores vazamentos de água ou óleo.

3 – instale as camisas provisoriamente no bloco (sem os anéis de vedação) e meça a altura do flange com relação ao bloco. Essa verificação é importante, pois, se essa altura estiver fora das recomendações do fabricante ou variar muito de um cilindro para outro, fará com que a pressão exercida sobre os flanges não seja a mesma em todas as camisas, provocando deformações nas que estiverem mais altas e vazamentos pela junta do cabeçote na região das que estiverem mais baixas.

Nestas ilustração vê-se que a camisa da direita está bem mais baixa que a da esquerda, podendo provocar vazamentos pela junta.

4 - Em seguida, tendo-se já retirado as camisas do bloco, instale os anéis de vedação, lubrificando-os previamente com vaselina e tomando cuidado para que fiquem instalados da forma mais completa possível, para que não se desloquem, cortem-se ou torçam-se quando da instalação definitiva das camisas.

5 – Instale as camisas no bloco utilizando um dispositivo apropriado para empurrá-las para baixo, evitando batidas com martelo que poderão deformá-las.

6 – Certifique-se de que as camisas foram instadas de maneira correta medindo seu diâmetro interno com um relógio comparador, em vários pontos.

Se, nesse exame, constatar-se uma grande ovalização em algum ponto, será preciso retirar novamente essa camisa, verificar a causa dessa ovalização (que poderão ser partículas ou depósitos no alojamento dos anéis ou no furo do bloco, ou mesmo um anel de vedação torcido) e eliminá-la, pois, poderão deformar a camisa a tal ponto que praticamente, não haverá mais folgas entre a camisa e o pistão (que tenderão a escoriar-se).

Um anel de vedação torcido ou com sujeira no seu alojamento podem deformar a camisa e eliminar a folga do pistão.

Sunday, August 30, 2009

TOP 5 ENERGY EFFICIENT AUTOMOBILE TECHNOLOGIES

Variable Valve Timing:-
Variable Valve Timing is a mechanical-electronic technology that enables the engine to have multiple camshafts. This system allows these camshafts to change timings of the intake or exhaust valves during the engines operation. Infact, the VVT is a generic term for an automobile piston technology.
The advantage of VVT is that the system can directly select valve timing and the valve lift corresponding to the operating speed of the engine.
Most of the Ferrari cars and Honda cars use this technology. Hondaś new city is equipped with this technology which offers outstanding performance and thrilling driving dynamics.
The major benefits of this technology are improved fuel efficiency and optimized performance over a wide variety of driving conditions.
Turbochargers and Superchargers:-
Turbochargers and Superchargers are technologies that are equipped in the engine to force compressed air into the cylinder. An increased amount of fuel and air is supplied to the engineś cylinder. This increase power output and performance because more air-fuel mixture is used for combustion.
A turbocharger is driven by exhaust from the engine whereas a supercharger fan is powered by the engine itself.
Nowadays, most turbochargers and superchargers are intercooled. As a result the compressed air can be cooled once it comes out of the compressor. As the air is cooled the air becomes denser and puts less stress on the engine components, further improving performance.
Today, cars like Chevrolet Optra, Fiat Palio etc. are equipped with turbocharged diesel engine. The advantage is the amazing performance.
Direct Fuel Injection:-
Direct Fuel Injection is a Fuel Delivery technology. It was introduced in 2004. This aims at enabling the petrol engines to burn fuel more efficiently. As a result, the power output increases, emission reduces and fuel efficiency is improved. In a direct-injection system, the fuel is injected directly into the cylinder and the air enters through the intake manifold. This advanced technology allows more control over the amount of fuel injected and time taken for injection. This also helps in a more complete combustion that further helps to churn out more power from each drop of gasoline.
Today, many car manufacturers including Audi have incorporated Direct Fuel Injection technology. In India, cars like Indica V2, Indigo, Safari etc. uses this technology.
Continuously Variable Transmission:-
The Continuously Variable Transmission is a type of automatic transmission which brings out more usable power, improves fuel efficiency, and offers a smoother driving experience.
The CVT enables easy, efficient and quick change in gear ratios between maximum and minimum values. This enables the engine to run at its most efficient rpm (Revolutions Per Minute) over a range of speeds. This has the power to handle powerful engines and provide quicker acceleration while maintaining superior fuel efficiency.
Among the Indian cars, the Honda Civic hybrid and Mitsubishi Lancer use CVT.

Automated Manual Transmission:-
The Automated Manual Transmission technology combines the features of both manual and automatic transmission technologies. Its functioning is much similar to the manual transmission in the sense that it doesn´t require clutch actuation. This system is hydraulically/electronically controlled.
The key benefits are smooth and quick gear shifting and improved drivability.

Tags:- top energy efficient car technology, energy efficiency, energy efficient technologies, automobile technology, efficient automobile technologies, Variable Valve Timing, Automated Manual Transmission, Turbocharger, Supercharger, Direct Fuel Injection, Continuously Variable Transmission, VVT, AMT, DFI, CVT, top 5 technologies